Tracing old firearms.

wddodge

I'm cleaning up an old Winchester .22 that's been neglected for years if not decades. After getting thru layers of patina/grease/mouse poop, I found where someone etched what looks like a social security number on the underside of the barrel. I'm sure this was before identity theft was even thought of.

I'm wondering if there is a legal way of using this number to search who owned this rifle??  There is a side of me thinking that this may have been someones grandpa's rifle and may want it back in the family.

Denny

zorba

Could also be a driver's license number.

Tugar

You go put up some of the numbers. My be recognizable. A Driver's liscence would be searchable. Social....not so much.

123-45-XXXX is how ALL social security numbers are formatted. 

earlyagain

I think the first three digits of a SS# are indicative of age. 1 being older than three ect..

Looking up the corresponding person may not even be legal???

Rafterman

I was under the impression that the first three digits signified what part of the country the card was issued. No clue if that is correct though.

joeg52

Structure of social security numbers...

https://www.usrecordsearch.com/ssn.htm

earlyagain

That explains a great deal right there. Maybe it'll help some???

JerryBobCo

What's the model of the gun?  That might help.  I have a little youth model Winchester .22 rifle that doesn't have a serial number.  If I recall correctly, though, it's a model 6, and that particular model was only made in the late 20s through mid 30s.

If nothing else, do a google search on the model number, or post it here and someone can probably look it up.

wddodge

The rifle is a Model 1890 chambered in .22 short and was manufactured in 1903 by the serial number.  It's rough and after cleaned up and a few parts from Numrich it will probably shoot ok. It will never be a collector piece.

The number is formatted like a SS number so I'm fairly sure that's what it is. I used the link joeg52 posted and the fellow is from Ohio so he's somewhat local to me.

I just thought it'd be nice to give a fellow or family the opportunity to get the old rifle back. It may have some fond memories..... or it may not..

Denny

Freezer

I wonder if there is a way for you to send a message through the Social Security, an attorney or maybe the police? Give them your contact info and ask it be passed to a person connected with the SSN.

A friend had a Marlin 22 stolen and years later it was recovered and returned to him.